Genealogy Chat

Hi everyone! Does any kind person know how to find out if someone is registered with the NHS through their NHS NO.? Why? I'm still searching for my elusive uncle and now know his NHS No. That would at least show if he was in this country!! Anybody got any ideas?? Thanks!

Are they allowed to give that info out, iam not sure. Gill

I don't know, but I'm hoping they will! It would be a great help because we don't know if he is in the UK or Australia!

I doubt if this info is in the public domain. But if you are prepared to spend money, I think the government's Traceline service will use his NHS number to find him and pass a message on to him from you. They won't disclose his whereabouts though. Google 'Traceline' to find details. nell

I'll try them. Thank you!

It would be his old NHS No. a Scottish one at that!! I didn't even know they had changed!

Doesn't matter which for Traceline I don't think. We found someone through them using the National Identity Number issued at beginning of the WW11.

the identity of patients is covered by data protection. you would have to know which hospital he visited, as the database of each Hospital only holds patients known to them. if a patient visits from outside then the notes are traced by the NHS no., but only by knowing where to look. Even if you had all that info, you would have to find a member of staff willing to jeopardise their job to look it up for you. Bev

Thank you everyone. It looks like it will have to be Traceline, as I have no other clue as to area or country even!! With a bit of luck they might come up with something. Will Traceline let you know if they find him or not?

Yes - they charged us (about) £25 initially to search and then when they told us she was alive we sent another similar amount for them to write to her and ask if she would accept a letter (non refundable). One thing we did find was she was still alive but unfortunately she didn't respond to them regarding the letter. Traceline wrote back and told us they had had no response and returned the letter we'd written - so we didn't know what her situation was - compus mentis or what. Anyway through bits and peices we'd gleaned from various sources we did eventually find her and it turned out ok.

Thanks Julie, I will get in touch with them and see if they come up with anything! I'm glad things worked out okay for you. heres hoping things work out for us as well!

NHS records are deleted every ten years, so you will have to hope your uncle has been having bloods taken or visiting a hospital within the last ten years. How did you get hold of his nhs no. Patients numbers and records are protected by the data protection act and are not disclosed (unless you know someone in the nhs willing to give his number). I was always told you could only see your own records but have to pay £50 (in southampton). I dont know if they are able to give you information from a person's medical notes as all info held in them is protected. But good luck in your search and hope you come up lucky.